Dr. Peter Balega
Council Member
City of Carrollton
 vog.ag-notllorrac@agelabp

Ward 3 (SE) - Current term expires December 31, 2011

Dr. Peter Balega is an Ohio native. He grew up in Cleveland, and then went to Dental School at Ohio State University earning his degree on 1983. At that time, Peter had in-laws in Carrollton, and decided to come south to open his practice. Dr. Balega simultaneously opened offices in Newnan and Carrollton, but soon sold the Newnan practice. He preferred living in Carrollton. He liked the school system and the proximity to the University of West Georgia . Dr. Balega chose dentistry partly because he wanted to be his own boss. Before long, he became very interested in the workings of City Government. In the late 1990's, Peter was seen often at council meetings and other public forums.

It was something that happened on his street that sparked Balega's activism. The traffic pattern was changed without any citizen input. It was just mandated by the City. He wanted to know the rationale for the change and answers were hard to come by, according to Peter.

Balega's father was a career public servant. For many years, he was a policeman in Cleveland. Peter says that his father told him that getting involved and becoming effective in public service takes time. It involves a conscious effort to become aware of what is going on. Part of the training process includes getting the take of others regarding issues. Following his Dad's advice, Dr. Balega said that he became knowledgeable of the issues before running for office.

In 2003, Balega ran for and was elected to the Carrollton City Council representing Ward 3. Now, he is trying to abide by other advice that his father gave him. Always return your phone calls was one thing he was instructed. And then the experienced law officer said to listen to the many different sides of a story before forming a conclusion.

As far as his own philosophy of life, Peter stresses the importance of being flexible. He asserts that there is rarely just one right or just one wrong. He believes that leaders must come to the table with ideas, but not be so rigid that they cannot be changed. Balega says that learning is never a finished product, but rather an ongoing process.

Councilman Balega continues to have a high regard for his adopted City. He is, however, concerned with the kind of growth that is already taking place, and is certain to escalate over time.

"We must look to the east, see what happened there, and apply what we can learn from their experiences", Dr. Balega asserts.

He furthermore feels that the ongoing water wars between Georgia, Alabama, and Florida makes it imperative that the City address long range issues regarding sewage, and the other problems unmanaged growth will inevitably cause. "We cannot stop growth, but we can be choosy", Balega maintains.

Peter's next priority has to do with City policy. He says that he has been hard pressed to find manuals with the City's stated policies in place. He wants to change all of that. Some of this concern is about a form of cronyism that the councilman stresses are all too common in small towns. Balega insists that his goal for Carrollton is that all citizens be treated fairly regardless of from whence they might have come.

In addition, Dr. Balega is firmly committed to a better integration of the University of West Georgia within the City of Carrollton. He believes that the institution of higher learning at the City's  edge is the next engine that will fuel the local economy.

Dr. Peter Balega is also a patron of the arts. He is an accomplished pianist, and enjoys painting when he gets the chance. He is a member of the Carroll County Historical Society and the Dental Study Club. Dr. Balega is a member of the Carrollton First Baptist Church.

As to what advice he would now like to hand down to the generation below him? "Keep your word, and treat all people equally," he said.

Councilmember Balega ran unopposed for the Ward 3 (SE) Councilmember post in November 2007 and was re-elected to an additional term. His new term began January 1, 2007 and will expire December 31, 2011.

Copied with permission from the Carroll Star News February 29, 2004 edition Written by Larry G. Johnson

Gerald Byrd
Council Member
City of Carrollton
 vog.ag-notllorrac@drybg

Ward 1 (NW) - Current term expires December 31, 2013

Gerald D. Byrd, Carrollton native, was elected to the City Council in 2001 to fill the unexpired term of deceased Councilmember Anne Sheppard and was re-elected to that post to begin a full term in January 2002. Mr. Byrd is a graduate of the Atlanta College of Art at the Robert W. Woodruff Arts Center in Atlanta. He served as a long-term substitute teacher at the Carrollton Junior High School and under a grant from the Department of Juvenile Justice developed and implemented an award winning after school program for adolescents. Councilmember Byrd is very active in local youth programs, serving as the head of the Youth Department of the First Baptist Church in Bowdon. He is a member of the Carroll County Mentor Program and directs a summer enrichment camp for the Carrollton Junior High School. He is also involved with a weekend youth program sponsored by the Carroll County Health Department, Carroll County Family Connection and the Carrollton Parks, Recreation, and Cultural Arts Department.

Councilmember Byrd ran unopposed for the Ward 1 (NW) Councilmember post in November 2005 and was re-elected to an additional term. His second term began January 1, 2006 and  expired December 31, 2009. Councilmember Byrd ran unopposed for the Ward 1 (NW) Councilmember post in November 2009 and was re-elected to a third term. His new term will expire December 31, 2013.

Mandy Maierhofer
Council Member
City of Carrollton
 vog.ag-notllorrac@refohreiamm

Ward 4 (SW) Current term expires December 31, 2011

Mandy Maierhofer was elected in 2004 to fill the unexpired term of deceased Councilmember Dean Brown. Councilmember Maierhofer was raised in Carrollton where she attended Carrollton City Schools and graduated from Carrollton High School. Mandy attended Vanderbilt University and received her degree in Art Education from the University of West Georgia. She is married to Peter Maierhofer, also a Carrollton High School Graduate and presently a Superintendent for the Carrollton City Parks, Recreation and Cultural Arts Department. Mandy teaches water aerobics for the Parks and Recreation Department and stays active in the arts. The Maierhofer's have three young daughters and the family resides near the University.

Mandy was approached by friends to run for the City Council in her district. She was unsure whether to pursue politics, but with the support of her family and friends, she decided it was her duty to work for her city. Mandy says, "It was time for me to give back to the community I love."

Councilmember Maierhofer ran unopposed for the Ward 4 (SW) Councilmember post in November 2007 and was re-elected to an additional term. Her new term began January 1, 2007 and will expire December 31, 2011.

Mike Patterson
Council Member
City of Carrollton
 vog.ag-notllorrac@nosrettapm

Ward 2 (NE) – Current term expires December 31, 2013 

Councilmember Mike Patterson was elected to the Ward 2 City Council post in November 2009. His first term began January 2010. Councilmember Patterson brings to the City of Carrollton a lifetime of experience in a broad spectrum of venues.  His commitment to his country, his community, his church and his family are evident based on a review of his background. Councilmember Patterson has been a resident of Carrollton since 1971 and a resident of the Ward 2 City Council district for over 23 years. 

Councilmember Patterson’s background includes the following:  background in civil and mechanical engineering; Commercial Real Estate professional in his City Council district; holds the CCIM (Certified Commercial Investment Member) designation for investment and real estate; retired Major from the United States Army Reserve with 22 years of service; the founding board member of Teen Challenge West Georgia which is a faith based resident treatment center for men with drug, alcohol and other life controlling issues; and he is a former elder of the First Christian Church of Carrollton.  

Councilmember Patterson is married to the former Peggy Philpot. The Patterson’s have four grown children and six grandchildren.